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Our leaders must work to protect us

Checks and balances in government are essential in protecting the interests of the people. Without them, one party, one person or one agency can destroy Wisconsin’s long proud tradition of good government.

Our leaders must work to protect us

Checks and balances in government are essential in protecting the interests of the people. Without them, one party, one person or one agency can destroy Wisconsin’s long proud tradition of good government.

Public leaders who proposed or voted for the changes in open records laws betrayed our trust. Rightfully, and thankfully, the public responded forcefully and the changes were removed.

Gerrymandering has been taken to an extreme. Since politicians are assured of winning their election, they no longer have to be responsive to the public.

The office of the governor has never been more powerful. Numerous agencies have been transferred to the Department of Administration. Governor’s appointees have replaced civil service positions and boards. Legislative oversight has been greatly diminished. In fact, the governor recently vetoed over 15 provisions that further eliminated legislative oversight.

The assaults on our democracy continue.

Public leaders are still talking about making changes to the open records laws. A proposal has been made to replace the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau with political appointees. There is a push to dismantle the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board, charged with oversight of campaign finance, elections, ethics and lobbying laws, and make it a partisan agency. Campaign finance laws could soon be rewritten.

All are vital to transparency and accountability in government. These laws and agencies are meant to serve the public, not politicians or one political party. We cannot allow politicians to weaken the tools of good government to serve their political ambitions.

Public leaders have a moral responsibility to ensure transparency and integrity in government and to protect and empower the public. Checks and balances in government must be maintained to protect our democracy. Any vote to diminish the voice of the public or limit public oversight is a betrayal of the public trust.